Korean Moon Festival|秋夕

Korean Moon Festival

by William Ryan

Taiwan is not the only place in the world that celebrates the Moon Festival.

　　The Korean Moon Festival known as Chuseok（秋夕）is believed to have originated from ancient celebrations of the harvest moon, probably as a worship ritual. In modern times, Korean people mark the three-day celebration with visits to their ancestral hometown and by eating traditional Korean foods. The Chuseok Festival _(1)_ on the 15th day of the eighth month of the lunar calendar. It is a happy time that brings families together in celebration and _(2)_. It is also an expression of ancestral respect. Chuseok is a lively, spirited occasion with traditional customs _(3)_ full display. Ancestral worship rituals are performed in the early morning of the first day at the eldest son's home. There are many rounds of bowing while kneeling, as the ancestors are offered food and wine. After the ceremony, the food is taken away and _(4)_ for the family to eat. Next, the family visits the tombs of its _(5)_ ancestors. The tomb site is cleaned and food that has been set aside from the meal is placed at the tomb.

　　Chuseok is a time for special foods like songpyeon. These delicious Korean rice cakes are prepared from newly harvested rice and pine needles, finely _(6)_ into dough and filled with toasted sesame seeds, chestnuts, or peas sweetened with honey or sugar. During Chuseok there are also wrestling matches, martial arts displays, tug of war games, and _(7)_ performances by women and children of a traditional folk dance called Ganggangsullae.

1. (A) plunges (B) descends (C) drops (D) falls

2. (A) employment (B) royalty (C) gratitude (D) management

3. (A) in (B) to (C) on (D) with

4. (A) imitated (B) rearranged (C) blended (D) conquered

5. (A) conservative (B) experimental (C) informative (D) immediate

6. (A) ground (B) grounded (C) grind (D) grinding

7. (A) luxurious (B) tolerable (C) spectacular (D) miserable

 

秋夕

台湾不是世界上唯一庆祝中秋节的地方。

　　韩国的中秋节又称为『秋夕』，据信源自于古代最接近秋分满月的庆典，很可能被当作是一种祭拜仪式。时至今日，韩国人会用三天节庆的时间来拜访祖先的家乡和享用传统韩国食物来庆祝。秋夕节庆适逢农历八月十五日。这天是家人一同团聚过节和感恩的欢乐时光。同时也是对祖先表达敬意的时候。秋夕是个既热闹又生气蓬勃、并全然展现传统习俗的时节。祭祖仪式于秋夕第一天一大早，在长子的家中举行。在奉上食物和酒给祖先之际，同时也举行好几回合的跪拜仪式。仪式结束后，食物会被拿走，然后再重新摆设供给家人食用。接下来，每个家族会前往自家直系祖先的祖坟。祖坟的位置会被打理干净，而从餐桌上拿出来的食物则会被摆放于祖坟上。

　　秋夕也是品尝松饼这种特有食物的时节。这些美味的韩式年糕是用刚收成的米和松针叶制成，仔细磨碎后再揉成米团，并填满烤过的芝麻籽、栗子或用蜂蜜或砂糖蜜制过的豌豆。秋夕期间还会有摔角竞赛、武术表演、拔河比赛以及由女人和小朋友所演出的精彩传统民俗舞蹈表演――圆圈舞。

答案： 1. D 2. C 3. C 4. B 5. D

6. A 7. C